The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant Harry F. Schanning (MCSN: 0-50460), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as a Rifle Platoon Commander of Company H, Third Battalion, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 15 March 1951. Assigned the mission of seizing a strongly fortified enemy hill position, Second Lieutenant Schanning skillfully maneuvered his platoon forward over precipitous terrain. When the unit was subjected to devastating hostile mortar, automatic weapons and small arms fire from concealed entrenchments, and the platoon was temporarily pinned down within 100 yards of its objective, he fearlessly moved forward through the heavy fire to locate the concealed positions, realizing that the objective must be secured as rapidly as possible. Although his vision was extremely limited by the smoke and fire of shell bursts, he crawled to within a few feet of a hostile bunker and engaged the enemy in a hand grenade fight. Despite concussion from hostile grenades which exploded directly in front of him, he quickly neutralized the bunker, killing all occupants and inspiring his men to sweep on, overrun and secure the vital objective. By his aggressive fighting spirit, courageous leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Schanning contributed in large measure to the success of his platoon and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.